I see you Mama | Je te vois maman
h = 108 in
Poem

I see you baby all brand new
I see your Mama standing there too.
I see baby’s eyes so big and bright
I see your Mama’s not feeling quite right.

It’s OK baby, and it’s OK Mama.
This time is a lot, there’s so much drama.
Do eat this, don’t do that,
Self-doubt buzzes like a gnat!

Your baby cries, your little one poops,
Your arm is breaking, your back stoops.
This is so hard, there is no break!
When baby cries it’s not your mistake.

What are you doing, what will come next?
Who can help, who will answer my text?
We are out there, Mama, you are not alone
In the dark of night, we hear your groan.

Baby is special, beautiful, and new
But Mama’s important, we see you too!
Take a deep breath, feel the floor at your toes,
And when you’re ready, wipe your eyes and your nose.

Slowly, so slowly, baby will grow
Sleep will come again, (I don’t know when though!)
Baby will hold their head up high,
They’ll learn to burp, and then time will fly!

Less and less crying, smiles will start!
Then maybe more crying, but Mama take heart!
Laughter does come, and it never will stop
Baby will wiggle, crawl, walk, and hop.

Soon you’ll be running and yes there’s more sleep
And more precious moments than your brain can quite keep.
I see you Mama, take hope, take heart!
This is only the beginning and its hard at the start!

Artist Statement
Connecting with other parents during the first sleepless year of her child’s life, Elizabeth Bryer recognized that most parents struggle with some aspect of the newborn experience and most suffer from self-doubt. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, sleep, lack of sleep, sitting up, moving, starting solids, first words: we all sometimes feel that we aren’t doing it right or we aren’t doing enough. New parents are both intensely judged and at the same time ignored. Baby feels like everything. Elizabeth wrote this poem to reassure new parents they are not alone, their mental health matters too, and things do get better.

Biography
Elizabeth Bryer worked in the Children’s section of the Vancouver Public Library before moving to Toronto. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in history the same year she had her child. As a new mother Elizabeth started writing children’s stories to introduce complex ideas and simple therapy techniques like breathing and mindfulness to children. Connecting with other parents during that first sleepless year, Elizabeth recognized that most parents struggle with some aspect of the newborn experience and suffer from self-doubt.

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